With the 36th annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout in Central Missouri rapidly approaching, the Board of Directors for the incredibly event, which includes two days of top-speed competition in late-August with more events under the charity’s banner throughout the season, announced it was expanding its leadership.

Mark Maasen (center, back row) is excited about becoming president of the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout Board of Directors as well as the addition of three new board members. Photo courtesy Lake of the Ozarks Shootout

“Amid the Shootout’s onward voyage as an ever-fruitful 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, three board members have recently been added, along with the ‘passing of the torch’ of board presidency in 2024,” a press release from the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout stated.

In a natural progression of board development, the Shootout Board of Directors recently elected Poly Lift Boat Lifts co-owner and Lake of the Ozarks native, Mark Maasen, as president. Along with the appointment of Maasen, the Shootout has installed Brad Harrington, Taylor Scism and Shane Landis as new board members serving alongside Don Silva (vice president), Connie Weyer (treasurer), Diana Dorhauer (secretary), Ron Duggan, and Karie Maasen. In addition to its active members, the Shootout Advisory Board includes Central Ozarks Medical Center CEO Kelly Miller, as well as Ken Lawler, a marketing partner of the Shootout.

“As this event grows, we are happy to partner with such a diverse and knowledgeable group of individuals who bring insight as either business owners, supporters of nonprofit organizations, race industry enthusiasts, or a compilation of all three,” explained Leah Martin, executive director of the Shootout, in the release. “I look forward to continue working with Captain Ron, our new officers and advisory committee members, and for the success of the Shootout in the years to come.”

Veteran offshore racer and Lake of the Ozarks Shootout Hall of Famer Brad Harrington is happy to join the event’s board of directors. Photo by Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix

Branching off of Martin’s sentiments, Shootout Bob Morgan Memorial Hall of Fame inductee and newly-appointed board member, Brad Harrington, sees a bright future.

“Being a longtime fan and race participant of the Shootout, I am excited to now join the Board of Directors and help in any way that I can to keep the Shootout the amazing event that it is,” Harrington said. “With the addition of the Shootout’s offshore races in June, I believe that the board can take this event to the next level and add even more excitement to the action-packed summer at the Ozarks.”

World champion offshore racer and Marine Technology Inc. vice president, Taylor Scism, who has served as the event’s live auction chair for two years, views the Shootout as a family affair.

“I am very excited to be on the Shootout board; it really is full circle for me with my dad being the first-ever Top Gun back in the inaugural year of the Shootout,” Scism exclaimed. “I am honored to be able to be a part of an event that makes such an impact on the local Lake area—not only that week—but throughout the whole year. I feel like this is going to be our best year yet!”

Taylor Scism—thanks to her father, Randy—has grown up going to the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout. Photo by Jason Johnson/Speedonthewater.com

Shootout for the Shootout Trapshooting organizer and local business owner, Shane Landis, brings with him strong connections throughout the tri-county community, and a desire to serve.

“I am very excited to partner with a group of amazing people as a new board member for the Shootout,” Landis said. “The power to impact and promote growth for local nonprofits through our ‘volunteer hour’ program really aligns with my beliefs as a new board member.”

Since the very first race, Shootout board president Mark Maasen has been a part of it all, and he could not be more exhilarated for what’s to come for the event, which is presented by Performance Boat Center and Monster Energy.

“I want to thank Captain Ron (Duggan) for his decade-and-a-half-long leadership and dedication to the Shootout, and I am super humbled to be named the new president,” Maasen expressed. “With Ron’s leadership, the Shootout has prospered to where it is today, and I have very big shoes to fill. I look forward to the challenge of taking the Shootout to new heights. This is an amazing community event that does great things for our local nonprofits and emergency responders.”